Loescher, Otto

Born to pioneer parents Otto and Katie (Vietor) Loescher, E. F. Loescher was educated in Fowler before completing advanced commercial studies at the Vancouver Institute in British Columbia. After serving as secretary to the Imperial Rice Milling Company and marrying Alice Katherine Stevinson in 1913, with whom he had two sons (Jack and Burt), Loescher returned to California and built an extensive career in the fruit and agricultural industries. He held key managerial and buying positions with the California Associated Raisin Company and the American Vineyard Company before becoming president and general manager of the Action Brokerage Company in 1918.

In addition to his corporate role, Loescher operated a premier 160-acre ranch in Barstow Colony, specializing in Thompson Seedless grapes, fruit orchards, and prize-winning draft mules and purebred Persian sheep. Recognized as a soil expert and authority on viticulture, he frequently authored technical articles on grape cultivation, fertilization, and curing for local agricultural publications. Loescher maintained active memberships in civic and social organizations, including the Sequoia Club and the Fresno Commercial Club.